Square Enix, Inc., a leading interactive entertainment company known for its FINAL FANTASY and DRAGON QUEST franchises, announced today the availability of sixteen FINAL FANTASY soundtracks on the iTunes Music Store. This is the first time any of the soundtracks from the acclaimed videogame series will be sold in the United States, and the first time original game soundtracks will be available on the iTunes Music Store. The dedicated FINAL FANTASY page on the iTunes Music Store will feature music from FINAL FANTASY I through XI, Music from Dear Friends, and two Black Mages albums.

“We’re expanding our business sphere beyond the traditional videogame in many ways,” said Ichiro Otobe, President and COO of Square Enix, Inc. “I’m excited to bring FINAL FANTASY music online by collaborating with Apple, an innovator in this arena. The iTunes Music Store is the perfect platform for our videogame soundtracks, which began as an early form of digital music.”

“I am thrilled that our soundtracks will finally be available to all the supportive American fans who have enjoyed our music over the years,” said series composer Nobuo Uematsu.

FINAL FANTASY is one of the best-selling video game franchises in the world, with more than 60 million units sold worldwide. The first FINAL FANTASY was released in 1987 in Japan and 1990 in North America. Spanning multiple platforms, the long-running series has introduced the world of cinematic role-playing games (RPGs) to millions of gamers around the world. The collection available on iTunes will span music from the sounds of the first primitive consoles to the latest orchestral compositions.

An accomplished composer and musician, Nobuo Uematsu has been responsible for the sweeping, epic scores in the FINAL FANTASY series. Well known for its ability to stir emotion in players, his music has changed gamers’ perceptions and the standards of video game music forever. The music has led to a successful line of soundtracks and solo projects for Uematsu and has been brought to new life in live orchestral concerts since 2002. The music from the game series has grown to such popularity that veteran composer Uematsu was named as one of the "Innovators" in Time Magazine's "Time 100: The Next Wave—Music" feature. The Black Mages made their debut in February 2003 with a self-titled album comprised of FINAL FANTASY battle music arranged in a rock style. Uematsu leads the band, performing as organist.